Shelter Development, Management, and Operation

Tompkins County is seeking a qualified service provider to design, develop, and operate a new purpose-built emergency shelter through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The project involves creating an approximately 30,000-square-foot facility with capacity for up to 100 beds, located at 225-227 Cherry Street in Ithaca, New York. The primary objectives include applying for New York State Housing and Homelessness Assistance Program (HHAP) funding, managing shelter operations, and providing comprehensive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Key deliverables include developing a low-barrier shelter with space for co-located service providers, basic facilities, and potential winter overflow accommodations. The detailed project timeline spans from design and funding application preparation (April 2025 - July 2025) through construction (July 2026 - September 2027), with licensing in October-November 2027 and shelter opening in December 2027. Proposals are due by May 12, 2025, at 2 PM ET, with submissions required through the Tompkins County website via Bidnet Direct. The county expects the selected provider to collaborate with the local Continuum of Care and demonstrate extensive experience in managing emergency shelters with trauma-informed, strengths-based service approaches.

The procurement strongly encourages participation from Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB). The county's homeless response system currently serves an average of 132 persons experiencing homelessness daily, with client numbers ranging from 70 to 231 individuals. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project suggests a significant investment in shelter development and operations. The selected provider will be responsible for facility management, client services, staffing, safety protocols, compliance reporting, and coordinating with community partners. The ultimate goal is to provide safe, clean, supportive shelter options with a focus on achieving permanent housing and stability for clients. No incumbent vendors are mentioned, and the project appears to be developing a new shelter facility from the ground up, with no specific requirements for integrating existing infrastructure or technology.